I.J. Ready and Colin Borchert hit free throws down the stretch Saturday to help Mississippi State pull away late with a 76-72 win over Ole Miss.More >>

I.J. Ready and Colin Borchert hit free throws down the stretch Saturday to help Mississippi State pull away late with a 76-72 win over Ole Miss.More >>

STARKVILLE, MS (RNN) - Mississippi State rallied with four minutes left in the first half to take the lead and keep it for the rest of the game, defeating Auburn 82-74 on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs (13-5, 3-2 SEC) held the Tigers (8-8, 0-5) to 25 points in the first half even though Auburn led by as many as eight points for the first 16 minutes.

Mississippi State scored 50 percent from the paint, 39 percent from downtown and 72 percent from the free throw line. The Tigers did better than the Bulldogs at free throws - making 12 out of 13 - but shot 48 percent from the paint and 29 percent from the 3-point line.

Roquez Johnson led Mississippi State with 18 points while Colin Borchert added 17.